Metal-top welding table

ABSTRACT

A welding table used in welding industry and woodworking applications comprises a metal table top with retractable carrying handle and elongated slots for insertion of clamping tools, a protrusion-adjustable angle flange with V-notch mounted to at least one edge of the table top, a support structure having an angle and height adjusting mechanism, and a foldable base frame with casters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a class of portable workbench in general, and particularly to a metal-top welding table used in welding industry and woodworking applications. The present invention comprises a metal table top with retractable carrying handle and elongated slots for insertion of clamping tools, a protrusion-adjustable angle flange with V-notch mounted to at least one edge of the table top, a support structure having an angle and height adjusting mechanism, and a foldable base frame with casters.

2. Description of the Related Art

A portable workbench used in welding industry and woodworking applications typically comprises a flat table top with a number of round holes for inserting clamping tools. The flat table top is either made of plastic material to reduce the weight for portability in the expense of strength and rigidity or made of heavy solid metal plates for rigidity but too heavy for portability. The table tops of most workbenches are flat without flanges. Some prior arts equipped with flanges to hold the workpiece but the flanges are not adjustable. On the other hand, almost all the portable workbenches are designed for holding flat or rectangular workpieces. For cylindrical workpiece, a special clamping tool is required to hold it easily and firmly. It is the intention of the present invention to solve these problems or inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a flat table top with protrusion-adjustable angle flanges and elongated slots, a support structure having an angle and height adjusting mechanism, and a foldable base frame with casters.

The rectangular flat table top is made of sheet metal for rigidity without adding too much weight to the present invention. The four edges of the table top are bent downward to form four fold-down edges. At proper location of the flat table top, a plurality of elongated slots are equipped for the insertion of clamping tools. Elongated slots accepts clamping tools with cylindrical shanks as well as most other types of clamping tools, say C-clamps, bar clamps, etc. This will increase the flexibility and convenience of the present invention. The straight edge of each elongated slot is bent downward to a proper depth to increase the strength of the table top and to create a thickness of the table top for clamping tool usage.

At least one fold-down edge of the table top is made with two or more screw holes for the mounting of the angle flange. The angle flange is equipped with two or more elongated holes on one side for mounting to one of the fold-down edge of the table top with wing screws. The angle flange is equipped with one or more elongated slots on the other side for the mounting of additional clamping tool if necessary. The position of the angle flange relative to the table top is adjustable so that the upper edge of the angle flange is below the table top or protrude above the table top. The amount of protrusion is variable utilizing the elongated holes on the angle flange and the wing screws. When the upper edge of the angle flange protrudes above the table top, workpiece can be held against the angle flange by clamping tool. When adjacent fold-down edges of the table top are equipped with angle flanges, then the two protruded adjacent angle flanges form a right angle guide rail to align two workpieces at 90 degree spatial relationship easily. At least one V-notch is formed on the upper edge of the angle flange to hold cylindrical or bar shape workpiece firmly and easily on the table top. This feature adds more flexibility to the present invention.

The flat table top is mounted on a support structure which comprises two straight shanks, two semicircular plates with semicircular slots, and locking handles. The two straight shanks are square in cross section and equipped with holes along its length. These holes are used to adjust the height of the flat table top when the two straight shanks are inserted to the foldable base frame. The two semicircular plates are fixed to two opposite edges of the flat table top through two mounting plates, and pivoted to the two straight shanks so that the table top may be rotated about the pivots with the semicircular plates. On each semicircular plate, a semicircular slot is equipped. Along the semicircular slot, notches are made at 0-degree, 30-degree and 80-degree positions. This enables the table top to be rotated and positioned at 0 degree, 30 degrees and 80 degrees relative to the horizontal position. At 0 degree, the table top is positioned horizontally for normal working condition. At 30 degrees, the table top is under special inclined working position. The table top is folded at 80-degree position for storage or transportation. Once the table top is rotated to the desired angle, it can be locked in position by turning the two locking handles.

The foldable base frame consists of two sets of U-shape frames and two square tubes with triangular plates. The internal size of each square tube is big enough so that the straight shank of the support structure can be inserted and slidable inside the square tube. Holes are made on two opposite sides of the square tubes for inserting pins to adjust and fix the height of the table top. One set of the U-shape frame is pivoted to one corner of the triangular plates and the other set of the U-shape frame is pivoted to the other corner of the triangular plates. Hence the U-shape frames are pulled open to form a sturdy stand for the table top and pushed close for easy storage and portability. Two casters are fixed to one set of the U-shape frames for easy transportation of the present invention. To enhance the easy handling of the present invention, a retractable handle is equipped on one fold-down edge of the table top. With this retractable handle, the present invention can be carried or pulled on casters with one hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention showing the table top and the foldable base frame at partially folded position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one design of the angle flange;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative design of the angle flange;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention holding a cylindrical workpiece utilizing an alternative design of the angle flange with V-notches;

FIG. 7 is a perspective bottom view of the table top;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the table top; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the table top taken along section A-A in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With the help of the drawings and the detail description below, the features of the present invention will be apparent and fully understandable.

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a rectangular flat table top 1 with protrusion-adjustable angle flange 11 and elongated slots 12, a support structure 6 having an angle and height adjusting mechanism, and a foldable base frame 7 with casters 251.

Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the flat table top 1 is made of sheet metal for rigidity without adding too much weight on the present invention. At proper location of the flat table top 1, a plurality of elongated slots 12 are equipped for the insertion of clamping tools with cylindrical shanks as well as other types of clamping tools such as C-clamps, bar clamps, etc. Cylindrical tool holes on table top cannot accept C-clamps or bar clamps. The straight edge 121 of each elongated slot is bent downward to a proper depth to form a thickness of the table top for clamping tool usage and strengthen the rigidity of the flat table top 1. The four edges of the table top 1 are bent downward to form four fold-down edges. At least one fold-down edge of the table top 1 is made with two or more screw holes or slots 13 for the mounting of angle flange 11. The angle flange 11 is equipped with two or more elongated holes 111 on one side and at least one elongated slot 112A on the other side as shown in FIG. 4. The elongated holes 111 are used to fix the angle flange 11 to the fold-down edge of the table top 1 with wing screws 115 as shown in FIG. 2. With the elongated holes 111, the position of the angle flange 11 relative to the working surface of the flat table top 1 is adjustable. If the upper edge of the angle flange 11 is placed lower than the working surface of the table top 1, a completely flat working surface free of obstruction is available. When the upper edge of the angle flange 11 protrudes above the working surface of the table top 1, a guide rail is formed for the workpiece. A second angle flange may be fixed to the adjacent edge of the flat table top 1 as shown in FIG. 1 to form a right angle guide rail to align two workpieces at 90 degree spatial relationship. The elongated slot 112A is used for the inserting of clamping tools including C-clamps or bar clamps. FIG. 5 shows an alternative design of the angle flange 11B with two or more elongated holes 111 on one side and at least one round holes 112B on the other side for the insertion of clamping tools with cylindrical shank. Referring to FIG. 6, at least one V-notch 114 can be formed on the upper edge of the angle flange 11C. The V-notch provides a convenient and sturdy means to hold cylindrical workpiece 3 or bar shape workpiece.

With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the flat table top 1 is mounted on a support structure 6 which comprises two straight shanks 23, two semicircular plates 22 with semicircular slots 221, and two locking handles (not shown). The two straight shanks 23 are square in cross section and equipped with holes 231 along its lengths. The two straight shanks 23 are inserted to the foldable base frame 7 and these holes 231 are used to adjust the height of the flat table top 1 and locked in position when the desired height is reached. The two semicircular plates 22 are fixed to two opposite edges of the table top 1 through mounting plates 21. And each semicircular plate 22 is pivoted to each straight shank 23 so that the table top 1 may be rotated about the pivots and hence the angle of the flat table top 1 relative to the straight shank 23 is adjustable. Each semicircular plate 22 consists of a semicircular slot 221 with notches at 0-degree 2213, 30-degree 2212 and 80-degree 2211 positions. These enable the flat table top 1 to be rotated and locked in position at 0 degree, 30 degrees or 80 degrees relative to the horizontal position. At 0-degree position, the flat table top 1 is positioned horizontally for normal working condition. At 30-degree position, the flat table top 1 is under special inclined working position. And the flat table top 1 is folded at 80-degree position for storage or transportation. Once the flat table top is rotated to the desired angle, it can be locked in position by turning the two locking handles (not shown).

Still referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the foldable base frame 7 comprises two sets of U-shape frames 25 and two square tubes 26 with triangular plate 24. The internal size of each square tube 26 is big enough so that the straight shank 23 can be inserted and slidable inside it. Holes are made on two opposite sides of each square tube 26 for inserting of a pin to hold each straight shank 23 at certain position relative to the square tube 26. This design provides a means to adjust the height of the flat table top 1. One set of the U-shape frame 25 is pivoted to one corner of the triangular plates 24 and the other set of the U-shape frame 25 is pivoted to the other corner of the triangular plates 24. Hence the U-shape frames can be pulled open to form a sturdy stand for the flat table top 1 and pushed close (partially folded as shown in FIG. 3) for easy storage and portability. Two casters 251 are mounted on one set of the U-shape frame 25 for easy transportation of the present invention. To enhance the easy handling of the present invention, a retractable handle (not shown) is equipped on one edge of the flat table top 1. When the present invention is in folded condition, the retractable handle provides a convenient means for the present invention to be carried or pulled on casters with one hand. 

1. A welding table comprising a flat table top with at least one protrusion-adjustable angle flange and more than one elongated slots, a support structure having angle and height adjusting mechanism, and a foldable base frame with casters.
 2. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said table top is made of sheet metal.
 3. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said table top has four fold-down edges with at least two screw holes on each said fold-down edge.
 4. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said angle flange is a metal angle bar.
 5. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said angle flange is equipped with at least two elongated holes on one side for mounting screws and equipped with one or more elongated slots on the other side for clamping tool insertion.
 6. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein the position of said angle flange is adjustable and fixed by loosening and tightening wing screws so that its top edge can be set below said table top or above said table top to form a guide rail to hold a workpiece.
 7. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein two of said angle flange may be mounted to two adjacent fold-down edges of said table top to form a right angle guide rail to align two workpieces at 90 degree spatial relationship.
 8. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein one edge of said angle flange is equipped with at least one V-notch.
 9. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said table top is equipped with at least one elongated slot for the insertion of clamping tools.
 10. The welding table according to claim 9, wherein the straight edge of said elongated slot is bent downward to a proper depth to increase the strength of said table top and to create a suitable thickness of said table top for the mounting of clamping tools.
 11. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises two straight shanks, two semicircular plates with semicircular slots, two mounting plates, and two locking handles; each said semicircular plate is mounted to one edge of said table top through each said mounting plate.
 12. The welding table according to claim 11, wherein each said semicircular plate is equipped with a semicircular slot with notches at 0-degree, 30-degree and 80-degree positions, each said semicircular plate is pivoted to each said straight shank so that said table top can be rotated about said straight shank and latched at 0-degree, 30-degree or 80-degree relative to the horizontal position with said locking handles.
 13. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said base frame comprises two U-shape frames and two square tubes with triangular plate at one end.
 14. The welding table according to claim 13, wherein the internal size of each said square tube is big enough to accept the insertion of said straight shank and allow the sliding of said straight shank inside said square tube; a plurality of holes of the same size are made on the body of each said square tube and each said straight shank for the insertion of a locking pin to hold said straight shank at certain position relative to said square tube so that the height of said table top is adjustable relative to said base frame.
 15. The welding table according to claim 13, wherein each said U-shape frame is pivoted to said triangular plates on said square tubes.
 16. The welding table according to claim 13, wherein one of said U-shape frame is equipped with two casters.
 17. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein a retractable handle is equipped on one said fold-down edge of said table top. 